unlurking
09-08-2004, 06:13 AM
So who's the tackle now?
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~86~2386740,00.html
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"It's a long shot (unit), for sure," agreed Jeb Putzier, a prime reason for the late upheaval at the position. "It's a different group than expected."
Broncos coach Mike Shana- han said the adjustments are an example of the heated competition coaches crave.
"That's why you have training camp," Shanahan said of his new-look tight end group. "You just never know. But we liked the way it has shaken out."
At the center of the changes were the surprising cuts of veteran free-agent acquisitions Byron Chamberlain and Jed Weaver.
The Broncos' top three tight ends are now Putzier, Patrick Hape and Dwayne Carswell, who was switched back from tackle to tight end Saturday, the same day Chamberlain and Weaver received their walking papers.
Going into the opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, Carswell is listed as the starter on the Broncos' depth chart released to media, but the team will use multiple tight end sets. Carswell said he will need to trim some weight off his 295-pound frame for his switch back to tight end, but because he is a blocking specialist, the extra weight won't hurt him. Carswell played tight end at about 265 pounds in the past.
Putzier is the best receiving tight end on the team and his blocking has improved greatly in camp. Hape and Carswell, who spent the past 10 seasons with the Broncos as a tight end, are best suited for blocking but both have decent hands.
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Long-snapper Mike Leach is the fourth tight end and John Foschi was signed to the practice squad Tuesday.
"We need more than one tight end," Shanahan said. "They're all playing."
It was the development of Putzier, though, that enabled the team to feel comfortable releasing both Chamberlain and Weaver. Weaver had signed a three-year contract that included a $400,000 signing bonus and Chamberlain had signed a one-year deal with a $25,000 bonus.
Chamberlain ran with the first unit virtually all of training camp. Both Chamberlain and Weaver figured to give the position veteran experience it needed to deal with the retirement of Shannon Sharpe.
Putzier led all Denver tight ends with eight receptions in the preseason. While the team knew the former receiver had fine hands, it was his blocking that convinced the coaching staff to choose him over Chamberlain and Weaver.
"Jeb blocked better than those guys," Shanahan said. "He was better. He's really doing a nice job."
Sharpe, always an interested observer, said the Broncos made the right choice with this current group. He has watched the team closely and has been impressed with Putzier.
"Jeb is going to be the right guy for the job because he has been there," Sharpe said. "He watched myself and he's watched Carswell and he's watched us work, so he understands the position. Jeb is well suited for the position. From what I hear, he came into camp, knowing that Shannon Sharpe wouldn't be back, and he worked the hardest. He was the most consistent from the start of camp to the end of camp. And basically, that's what Mike wanted."
Tuesday, Putzier was still a bit amazed at the whittling of the group chosen to carry Sharpe's torch.
"We all worked hard to get here," Putzier said. "Now we have to all do it when it counts."
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~86~2386740,00.html
_________________________________________________________________
"It's a long shot (unit), for sure," agreed Jeb Putzier, a prime reason for the late upheaval at the position. "It's a different group than expected."
Broncos coach Mike Shana- han said the adjustments are an example of the heated competition coaches crave.
"That's why you have training camp," Shanahan said of his new-look tight end group. "You just never know. But we liked the way it has shaken out."
At the center of the changes were the surprising cuts of veteran free-agent acquisitions Byron Chamberlain and Jed Weaver.
The Broncos' top three tight ends are now Putzier, Patrick Hape and Dwayne Carswell, who was switched back from tackle to tight end Saturday, the same day Chamberlain and Weaver received their walking papers.
Going into the opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, Carswell is listed as the starter on the Broncos' depth chart released to media, but the team will use multiple tight end sets. Carswell said he will need to trim some weight off his 295-pound frame for his switch back to tight end, but because he is a blocking specialist, the extra weight won't hurt him. Carswell played tight end at about 265 pounds in the past.
Putzier is the best receiving tight end on the team and his blocking has improved greatly in camp. Hape and Carswell, who spent the past 10 seasons with the Broncos as a tight end, are best suited for blocking but both have decent hands.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION!
How well do you think the Broncos will do this season? Post a message in our Broncos boards!
Click here to log on and participate.
You will need to click on the link that says 'Register Your Free Account' to create an account in order to post messages, but you can read all the messages without registering.
Long-snapper Mike Leach is the fourth tight end and John Foschi was signed to the practice squad Tuesday.
"We need more than one tight end," Shanahan said. "They're all playing."
It was the development of Putzier, though, that enabled the team to feel comfortable releasing both Chamberlain and Weaver. Weaver had signed a three-year contract that included a $400,000 signing bonus and Chamberlain had signed a one-year deal with a $25,000 bonus.
Chamberlain ran with the first unit virtually all of training camp. Both Chamberlain and Weaver figured to give the position veteran experience it needed to deal with the retirement of Shannon Sharpe.
Putzier led all Denver tight ends with eight receptions in the preseason. While the team knew the former receiver had fine hands, it was his blocking that convinced the coaching staff to choose him over Chamberlain and Weaver.
"Jeb blocked better than those guys," Shanahan said. "He was better. He's really doing a nice job."
Sharpe, always an interested observer, said the Broncos made the right choice with this current group. He has watched the team closely and has been impressed with Putzier.
"Jeb is going to be the right guy for the job because he has been there," Sharpe said. "He watched myself and he's watched Carswell and he's watched us work, so he understands the position. Jeb is well suited for the position. From what I hear, he came into camp, knowing that Shannon Sharpe wouldn't be back, and he worked the hardest. He was the most consistent from the start of camp to the end of camp. And basically, that's what Mike wanted."
Tuesday, Putzier was still a bit amazed at the whittling of the group chosen to carry Sharpe's torch.
"We all worked hard to get here," Putzier said. "Now we have to all do it when it counts."